Window well cover



May 28, 1957 R ROBEY 2,793,688

WINDOW WELL COVER Filed Aug. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l l N VEN TOR Q6/7020 5 Aoey BY QM 6. 7

R; E. ROBEY WINDOW WELL COVER May 28, 1957 Filed Aug. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent WINDOW WELL covEn Richard E. Robey, Silver Spring, Md. Application August 2, 1954, Serial No. 447,354 6 Claims. (Cl. 160--104) This invention appertains to improvements in protec tive coverings and screen enclosures for windows and the like openings in buildings and particularly relates to a window well cover.

In the erection of buildings involving the construction of underground basements, it is general construction practice to excavate wells for windows in the walls of the basement, such windows being wholly or partially below the surface of the ground. The wells are provided to expose the window openings to sunlight and air so that the basement is maintained light and dry and ventilated to avoid dampness and such wells are of sufiicient dimension out from the walls of the basement and of sulficient depth to accomplish such purpose. The wells are shaped usually in the forms of a semi-circle and, therefore, extend in an are out from the sides of the window frames. The wells are formed with a brick side wall and the bottoms thereof are of brick or cement and are provided with drains for falling and surface waters to prevent water from collecting in the bottoms and gaining access to the interior of the basement.

It is difficult toscreen such windows because of the limited space afforded by the wells in which to work in attaching and detaching outside screens and, with the general use of inwardly swinging casement windows, the use of inside screens is impossible. Another problem associated with such windows arises from the collecting of fallen leaves, papers and the like debris in the wells and the clogging thereby of the outlet drains, such clogging causing backing up of water, running into the wells, over the window frames and possible seepage of the water through the frames into the basement. Also, such wells constitute a danger for small children who are liable to fall into them. Therefore, the problem of protecting the windows of such wells so that they cannot be broken or damaged by stones etc. and of so protectively enclosing them so that they can be opened to admit air for ventilating the basement, while keeping out insects, and the problem of enclosing the wells to avoid the accumulation of debris therein and of covering them against the danger of children falling into them and of so enclosing and covering them so that air and sunlight can pass therethrough arise.

The instant invention has for its primary object to provide a window well cover which is constructed to fit over the top of a window well and to thereby enclose the same and protectively cover the well and the window while at the same time, permitting water to pass through to the drain and light and air to pass through into the basement and excluding debris from the window well and objects from the window.

An important object of the present invention resides in the provision of a sturdy and compact screen frame which is ad apted to. seat on the upper edge of the side wall of a window well and which is provided with means 7 that so engages the side wall as to prevent accidental movement of the cover relative to the well.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a sectional frame which is formed to tightly retain a screen that overlies the well and is provided with means overlying the screen which permits of standing over the screen for gaining access to the portion of the building above the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel frame construction which embodies a bottom member having a channel on its upper edge for receiving the peripheraledge of the screen and a top member that frictionally fits in the channel to wedge the edge of a screen tightly therein, both of the members being shaped to conform to the shape of the side wall of the well and having free ends which are connected by a frame section which rigidifies the frame members and tightly holds an edge of the screen so that the screen is tautly held by the frame members and section in a position overlying the window well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a frame means which is operatively associated with the sectional frame and extends perpendicular thereto to enclose the upper portion of a window, which extends above the well, such frame means securely mounting a protective screen over the upper portion of the window and being provided with ground engaging means that fixedly locates it in position to dispose the screen tightly and completely over the upper portion of the window.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compact and sturdy screen type cover screen closure for a window Well and window therein, irrespective of the height of the window in relation to the depth of the well.

A still. further object of this invention is to provide a screen frame construction which includes a member formed on one edge with a channel and a second member formed with an edge of less width than the width of the channel, which edge is adapted to fit in the channel and wedge therein and be itself wedged therein by an edge of a screen.

The foregoing and ancillary objects, including the provision of an inexpensively constructed and maintained covering or closure, are attained. by this invention, the preferred forms of which are set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the window well cover showing the same mounted in position over a window well;

Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and showing the window in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the window well cover showing it in association with a covering means for covering the extending upper portion of a window which is greater in height than the depth of the well;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig.4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1-3, the numeral 10 designates a conventionally constructed window well, which is arcuate in shape and has a curved side wall 12 extending out from the sides of the window opening, the side wall being composed of bricks. The upper edge 14 of the side wall usually is flush with the surface 16 of the ground or may project slightly thereabove. The well 10 provides an therefore, spaced a sufficient distance from the window 18 The window well cover 20 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the well 12, in the drawing shown as arcuate, but not restricted to such shape. The cover 20 includes an arcuate bottom frame member 22 which includes a curved flat bar 24 which has an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the side wall and is adapted to fit around the outside of the side wall. The bar 24 has a transverse flange or head 26 which is formed on the upper edge thereof and extends inwardly and outwardly therefrom. The inner section of the flange constitutes a shoulder which is normal to the plane of the bar 24 and which seats on the upper edge 14 of the side wall 12. The outer section of the flange seats on the surface 16 of the ground adjoining the side wall of the Well. The bar 24 is embedded in the ground around the brick side wall 12 of the well and the sections of the flange 26 seat on the upper edge of the side wall and on the surface of the ground. Where the side wall projects above the surface of the ground, the inner section of the flange will locate the bar in place by seating on the upper edge of the side wall.

The flange 26 forms the base or web portion of a channel 28, the sides 30 and 32 of which extend upwardly from the side edges of the flange. The channel is provided to receive the curved edge of a semi-circular screen 34 and an upper frame member 36 is provided to hold the screen in the channel. The frame member 36 is a flat, arcuate bar which is of a thickness just slightly less than the width of the channel and which is adapted to have its lower edge portion tightly wedged in the channel. As shown in Fig. 2, the member 36 fits against the inside of the outer side 32 of the channel and seats on the flange 26. The edge 33 of the screen is wedged against the inside of the inner side 30 by the member 36 and the member 36 is held tightly in the channel by such wedging action. The screen is disposed between the frame members and is stretched taut over the upper edge of the inner side 30 of the channel.

The free ends of the frame members and the straight edge of the screen are connected to a rear frame section 40. The frame section 40 includes an angle bar 42 which extends transversely of the members 22 and 36 at their free ends and which has its horizontal flange 44 extending over the upper edge of the upper frame member 36 at its free ends. The horizontal flange 44 has its ends extended beyond the frame member and bent downwardly to form lugs 46 which are apertured. The apertures of the lugs 46 register with apertures in the end portions of the upper frame member 36 and bolt fasteners 48 are disposed through the apertures to attach the lugs to the outside of the frame member 36. The vertical flange 50 of the angle bar 42 is disposed transversely of the free ends of the frame member 36 and the ends of the flange 50 abut the free ends of the frame member 36.

The straight edge of the screen 34 is disposed under the lower edge of the vertical flange 50 and is disposed alongside the outer surface thereof. A straight bar 52, which is complemental to the vertical flange 50, is attached by screws 54, to the outer surface of the flange t] and the straight edge of the screen is clamped by the screws between the flange 5t) and the bar 52.

Rods 56 are positioned transversely between the sides of the frame member 36 and are formed with bores 55 that are internally threaded at their ends to receive the shanks of screws 58 which extend through suitable openings in the sides of the frame member 36. The rods 56 are fastened to the sides of the frame member 36 so that they overlie the screen and afford protection therefor against falling objects. The rods also enable a person to stand on the cover and have access to portions of the wall of the building above the well.

It can be seen in Fig. 3 that the rear frame section 40 is disposed adjacent the wall of the building with the bar 52 contiguous to the wall. The lower frame member 22 seats on the upper edge of the side wall of the well and surrounds the well along with the upper frame member 36. The screen is held taut by the frame members 22 and 36 and the rear frame section 40 and completely covers the well opening. The screen enables the window to be opened for airing the basement without the admission of insects and the like to the basement and also prevents debris from falling into the well. Due to the rods 54, the spacement of which can be'varied as desired, the cover will prevent children from falling into the well.

It is preferred to fabricate the frame members and rear frame section from aluminum so that it will be light, have a pleasant appearance and be rust and weather resistant. While the well and cover have been shown as semi-circular or arcuate, the well can be rectangular, in which event the frame members 22 and 36 would be rectangular to conform to such configuration of the well.

in the case where the window extends above the surface of the ground, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the well cover 20 will be provided with a cooperating window covering section 60 which is illustrated in Figs. 4-6 in association with the well cover 20.

The section 60 is shown as rectangular to correspond with the shape of the window and window opening, but, obviously, could be any shape, dependent upon the shape of the window. The section 60, as illustrated, includes outer top and bottom bars 62 and 64 and outer side bars 66, which are separable and are designed similar to the upper frame member 36 of the well cover 20. The side bars 66 extend downwardly below the bottom bar 64 and the lower portions form legs that are adapted to be embedded in the ground alongside the well cover 20 to position the section 60 perpendicular to the well cover and alongside the wall of the building over the upper extending portion of the window. The top and bottom bars 62 and 64 are formed with suitable openings to receive screws 66a which attach hollow rods 68 vertically between the bars.

The section 60 also includes inner top and bottom bars 70 and 72 and side bars 74 which are separable and which are formed at their outer side edges with channels 76 in which the inner side edges of the outer bars fit. The side and top and bottom edges of a rectangular screen 78 are wedged in tightly in the channels, as shown in Fig. 6. In this respect, the construction of the inner bars and outer bars of the section 60 and their structural relationship are similar to the construction and relationship of the frame members 22 and 36. Thus, the edges of the screen 78 are held in the channels 76 by the bars 62, 64 and 66 which are tightly wedged in the channels by the screen edges. The inner side bars 74 and inner top bar 70 are secured together by outside corner angle irons 82 which are fastened thereto by screws 84 and the side bars 74 are attached at their ends to the bottom bar 72 by inside corner angle irons 82, fastened by screws 84.

As shown in Fig. 5, the window covering section 60 is disposed perpendicular to the well cover 20 and is held in an upright position, normal to the cover 20, by the leg terminals of the outer side bars 66 with the bottom inner bar 72 resting on the horizontal flange 44 of the rear frame section 40. The section 60 thus fits tightly on the well cover 20 and cooperates therewith to protectively cover the window.

While the best known forms of my invention and their application for use in protecting window wells and the windows have been shown and described herein, such is merely by way of example and other forms and applications may be realized as comping within the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A protective cover for a window well and a building window exposed thereby, comprising a bottom frame member having opposing sides, a closed end joining said sides and an opposing open end, said sides and closed end being configured complemental to the shape of the well in cross-section and said frame member being adapted to be embedded in the ground around the outside of the side wall of the well, a lateral shoulder formed on the inner faces of the sides and closed end and adapted to seat on the upper edge of the side Wall of the Well, a channel upstanding from said shoulder, a screen extending between the sides and the closed end and the open end of the frame member and shaped complementally to the frame member, said screen having an edge portion disposed in the channel, an upper frame member having opposing sides and an integral closed end and having an open end, said upper frame member having a lower edge portion on its sides and closed end of a width slightly less than the width of the channel, said edge portion being wedged in the channel with the edge portion of the screen, a frame section disposed transversely of the sides of the frame members and closing off the open ends thereof, means securing the frame section to the upper frame member and means attaching the screen to the frame section.

2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein rod elements are disposed transversely between the sides of the upper frame member and overlie the screen and means for attaching the ends of the rod elements to the inner faces of the sides of the upper frame member.

3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame section includes an angle bar having a horizontal flange transversely overlying'the upper edges of the free ends of the sides of the upper frame members, downturned lugs on the ends of the flange fastened to the sides at the free ends thereof, said angle bar having a vertical flange abutting the end edges of the sides, a bar complemental to the vertical flange disposed on the outside thereof with the edge portion of the screen positioned therebetween and means securing the bar to the vertical flange to clamp the screen edge therebetween.

4. A protective cover for a window well and a window exposed thereby and extending partially thereabove comprising, a frame having opposing sides and a closed endand having an open end, said frame being complemental in shape and size to the cross-sectional configuration and size of the well and including a bottom frame member and an upper frame member, said bottom frame member having an upper edge formed with an inwardly extending, lateral flange adapted to seat on the upper edge of the side Wall of the well and locate the frame in position around the outside of the well, said flange and upstanding walls on the sideedges thereof defining a channel, a screen shaped to extend horizontally over the well and having an edge disposed over the inner wall of the channel and fitted in the channel against the inside of the inner wall thereof, said upper frame member having a lower edge fitted in the channel and wedged therein by the screen edge, while holding the screen edge tightly therein, a frame section extending transversely between the sides of the frame members at the open ends thereof, means securing the frame section to the sides of the upper frame member, means fastening the screen to the frame section, a second frame disposed perpendicular to the first frame and disposed in front of the portion of the window extending above the well, said second frame seating on the frame section and having opposing sides, a top and a bottom, depending legs on the, sides adapted to be embedded in the ground alongside the free ends of the sides of the frame members, means for fastening the edges of a screen to the sides, top and bottom of the second frame, and rod elements carried by the second frame and adapted to overlie the screen mounted thereon.

I 5. A protective cover for a window Well and a building opening exposed thereby, comprising a vertically disposedhottom frame member of a planar shape and size complemental to the shape and size of the well and having opposing sides, a closed end joining said sides and an open end, said frame member including a lower vertically disposed edge portion adapted to be embedded in the ground around the side wall of the well, a horizontal transverse flange on said lower edge portion and extending inwardly therefrom to seat on the upper edge of the side wall of the well, upstanding spaced apart flanges on the transverse flange and defining a channel therewith, an upper fiat bar of a planar size and shape complemental to the size and shape of the frame member and of a cross sectional width slightly less than the width of the channel and having opposing sides, a closed end joining the sides and an open end, said upper bar being wedgefltted in the channel with the edges of a screen to lock a screen in place over the well, said upper bar extending vertically above the channel, rod elements extending transversely between the sides of the upper bar and adapted to overlie a screen carried by i the bottom frame member and the upper bar, means securing the ends of the rod elements to the inside faces of the sides of the upper bar, a frame section disposed transversely of the sides of the upper bar at the open end thereof and having a vertical portion disposed between the sides, means attaching the framesection to the sides of the upper bar, a plate disposed complemental to the vertical portion to clamp an edge of a screen thereto and means detachably fastening said plate to the vertical portion.

6. A protective cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein said vertical portion lies between the sides inwardly of the free ends thereof at the open end of the upper bar and said plate is fastened to the outer face thereof and disposed flush With the free ends of the sides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED'STATES PATENTS 782,771 Benson Feb. 14, 1905 1,095,340 Mattison May 5, 1914 1,112,590 Backstrom ..1 Oct. 6, 1914 1,233,432 Worden et al; July 17, 1917 1,568,494 Anastas Jan. 5, 1926 

